Your East Anglian Wedding news and ideas from around the region

Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa has launched a new spa package

This February, the award-winning Spa at Bedford Lodge Hotel invites couples to unwind with its Time for Each Other spa packages – thoughtfully designed for relaxation, indulgence and quality time together. Whether it's a luxurious spa day or a complete getaway with dinner and an overnight stay, there's an option to suit every style of Valentine's celebration.

Guests will unwind together with a glass of Prosecco on arrival at the Time for Each Other Spa Day before slipping into robes and enjoying a private Rasul mud treatment and a 60-minute ESPA personalised couples massage. They'll also have full access to the luxury heat and hydrotherapy facilities, including the hydrotherapy pool, rooftop hot tub, sauna and steam room. A one-course lunch in the Spa Lounge completes this indulgent day.

Married to your surname? 26% of women are planning on keeping theirs

Lots of people are ditching traditions when it comes to modern weddings and marriage - one of which quickly losing favour is the tradition of taking your partner's surname. In a recent survey carried out by Pandora UK, almost nine in ten (88%) women said they think that attitudes to married names are changing in 2026 ¹. When asked, over a quarter (26%) of unmarried women said they'd keep their last name if they got married, whilst less than half (45%) said they'd take their partner's name. This is indicative of the shift in opinion in recent years, as when married women were asked, only a sixth (17%) of women said they kept their maiden names when they got married, whilst the majority (78%) took their partner's surname, with just 4% choosing to double-barrel their last name with their significant other.

Crondon Park Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Crondon Park, Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 8th February 2026! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events. Set in the beautiful valley of Crondon, with stunning views across the Essex countryside and our championship golf course - Crondon Park has established an outstanding reputation as a premier venue in Essex and the UK.

Countdown to the County Wedding Events Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World, Surrey

We live and breathe weddings at County Wedding Magazines and Events, so we can't wait for our Signature Wedding Show at Mercedes-Benz World, Surrey on Sunday 26th April, 2026! It's one of our biggest wedding shows of the spring wedding show season. The event brings couples in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.

Braxted Park Estate Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Braxted Park Estate, Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 15th February, 2026! The sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.

County Wedding Events coming Kimberley Hall, Norfolk!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Kimberley Hall, Norfolk, for inspiration on Sunday 8th February 2026! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples face-to-face with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events. Built in 1712 during the reign of Queen Anne, Kimberley sits at the centre of a 700 acre park laid out in 1778. The house boasts spectacular views past grazing cattle and Norfolk's greatest concentration of ancient oaks, to a large lake at the bottom of the River Tiffey valley. Centrally located in Norfolk, 9 miles west of Norwich and close to arterial road, rail and air links (plus a private airstrip), Kimberley is ideally positioned.

Love is in the air: Eden Mill and COCO Chocolatier partner to create the perfect Valentine's bundle

Independent distiller, Eden Mill and Edinburgh-based artisan, COCO Chocolatier, have launched a limited-edition bundle just in time for Valentine's Day - featuring award-winning gin and a luxurious chocolate bar. The Love Gin & COCO Chocolatier Bundle pairs a bottle of Eden Mill's iconic Love Gin with a bespoke bar of Salted Caramel Milk Chocolate. Designed with gifting in mind, the chocolate is presented in stunning, custom packaging inspired by the Love Gin's romantic aesthetic, beautifully merging the two brands.

Wedding venues in South Suffolk

South Suffolk is a dream destination for couples searching for romance, charm and timeless countryside beauty. Renowned for its quintessential villages, rolling landscapes and wealth of historic architecture, the area offers an enchanting setting for weddings of every style. Whether you're planning an elegant celebration in a stately home, a laid-back day in a rustic barn or a contemporary affair with rural views, South Suffolk's diverse collection of venues has something to suit every love story. From intimate gatherings to grand occasions, these stunning spaces provide the perfect backdrop for unforgettable "I dos". Here are some of the local venues to choose from:

Monty Bojangles' new White Rose Kit-Tin makes for a quirky wedding favour idea

Looking for a wedding memento that really stands out from the crowd? As wedding season comes back around, Monty Bojangles, the multi-award-winning UK confectionery brand, has unveiled a new addition to its hugely popular Cat Tin collection. Say hello to White Rose, the enchanting wedding Kit-Tin. Marking the brand's first foray into the wedding space, the elegant keepsake has been beautifully designed as the perfect wedding favour, whilst also serving as the sweetest engagement, bridesmaid or wedding gift.

The wellness trends set to shape 2026 according to Riverhills Health Club & Spa

In 2026 wellness will move beyond surface-level self-care and into a more meaningful, personalised, and education-led space. According to the team at Ipswich's Riverhills Health Club & Spa, guests are no longer just seeking an escape; they want experiences that restore, empower, and adapt to how they truly feel.

Drawing on emerging guest behaviours and new initiatives launching at the Suffolk spa, Riverhills' Spa Manager Debbie Lawes shares the key wellness trends set to define 2026.

In 2026, spa days are becoming smarter. Guests want to leave feeling not only relaxed, but informed, inspired, and equipped with tools they can use in everyday life.

County Wedding Events coming to Houchins in Coggeshall, Essex!

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at to Houchins in Coggeshall, Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 14th April 2026! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events.

2026 Brides’ First Dance Forecast: The Songs Brides Can't Resist

For many couples, choosing the perfect first-dance track is a heartfelt decision, the song that will forever anchor the memory of their wedding day. Grace Loves Lace, the bridal company renowned for its effortless, romantic designs, has released a first-of-its-kind "Spotify Wrapped" for first dance songs. The new exclusive study analysed more than 70 of the most popular first dance playlists, listing over 3,800 unique songs, to uncover the best first dance tracks of all time. "Music is one of the most memorable parts of a wedding day, and the first dance sets the emotional tone for the entire celebration," comments Rosie Keating Leary, Head Designer at Grace Loves Lace. "It's fascinating to see the patterns emerge across genres, it mirrors how our brides approach dress selection. There's no one-size-fits-all; the perfect choice is simply the one that feels like you."

Wedding venues in South Cambridgeshire

South Cambridgeshire is a region that quietly steals hearts. With its gently rolling countryside, characterful villages and elegant historic buildings, it offers an idyllic backdrop for couples dreaming of a wedding that feels both personal and picturesque. Whether you're envisioning a grand celebration steeped in history, a relaxed rural gathering or something effortlessly contemporary, this corner of East Anglia has a venue to match every style of "I do". From romantic barns and charming manor houses to stylish modern spaces surrounded by nature, South Cambridgeshire is brimming with beautiful settings ready to bring your wedding vision to life. Here are just a few for you to choose from:

Local supplier spotlight: Trish Thompson Photography

Trish Thompson Photography captures natural, unscripted moments in Norfolk and across the UK.

"Photographs are so important; they are moments captured in time, memories to treasure and heirlooms to pass on to the next generation," shares Trish. "For as long as I can remember, I've always been fascinated with photography. My parents bought me my first camera when I was 13, and I started to develop an eye for a great shot; my passion for photography and a desire to tell a story through the lens carried on from there."

What’s next for weddings? The Wedding Shop reveals all

Multi-award-winning gift list service, The Wedding Shop has revealed new data, showing the trends that are shaping weddings and couples' gift lists for 2026. Based on information from over 80,000 couples gathered since 2019, the leading personal gift service has looked at changes in how couples are choosing to celebrate, and how their dearest and nearest are gifting them to mark their special day with some surprising results.

Channels Golf Club Wedding Fair hosted by County Wedding Events

If you're newlyweds-to-be embarking on your wedding planning journey, pop along to the County Wedding Events wedding show at Channels Golf Club, Essex, for inspiration on Sunday 29th March, 2026! Sister company to County Wedding Magazines, the event brings couples that are desperate for face-to-face wedding planning in touch with local professionals who are on hand to help plan the wedding day. From photographers to cake makers, musicians to florists you're sure to tick a lot off of your to-do list by attending one of our County Wedding Events. The beautifully restored, 17th-century, thatched Essex Barn is an idyllic wedding venue for your special day. Tie the knot with your soulmate in surroundings full of character with up to 100 of your loved ones there to share the moment.

The region’s biggest, must-visit wedding show coming to Braintree Village hosted by County Wedding Magazines & Events

Braintree Village has teamed up with County Weddings - Magazines and Events to host its Signature Wedding Shows at the site from January 2026. Based in Essex, renowned local wedding show organisers County Wedding Events host wedding shows across the Home Counties; the company's largest events, its Signature Wedding Shows, are at iconic locations Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, Mercedes-Benz World, Surrey, and Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent – sister shopping centre to Braintree Village in Essex.

Creative Decorations has relocated to the Norfolk coast

Creative Decorations has recently relocated to the Norfolk coast and is now based in Great Yarmouth. With a passion for creating fun, vibrant, and memorable wedding décor, owner Helen brings her award- winning expertise and infectious enthusiasm to couples across the region.

Whether you're dreaming of colourful balloon arches, eye-catching installations, or classic table centrepieces, Creative Decorations offers a wide range of options to bring your vision to life. With more than 14 years of experience, multiple awards, and a place on a global balloon-build team, Helen brings both skill and imagination to every event.

Getting married soon? Sort finances before saying 'I do'

A wedding is a promise of a shared future, but concerningly, especially when it comes to retirement, many couples delay discussion of how they'll plan for their future finances. Mapping out your finances to track life's milestone moments long before the big day is important to ensure both partners feel confident and prepared - from the prospect of taking a possible career break, to job loss, potential illness and being comfortably affording retirement.

Local supplier spotlight: Heacham Manor Hotel

Heacham Manor Hotel boasts a 400-year-old mulberry tree, tranquil pond and peaceful grove, all framed by a beautifully maintained 18-hole golf course, creating a picturesque backdrop for weddings.

The Dove Suite offers a bright, contemporary setting for up to 120 guests. With elegant neutral tones, wood floors and soft lighting, it exudes modern sophistication. Its flexible, soundproof layout adapts easily for intimate ceremonies and grand receptions, with stylish décor and abundant natural daylight.